Michael Popke

3 days ago | benefitspro.com | Michael Popke

A new survey reveals that employees rank mental health days as the best resource to manage stress and anxiety. So why do nearly two-thirds of workers leave vacation time on the table? An expert says the reasons are driven by internal pressure, workload, and company culture — and he cautions that burnout solutions require behavioral science-backed strategies, not just perks. Wondr Health, a digital weight-management solutions provider, polled nearly 2,000 employees on mental health management.

1 week ago | benefitspro.com | Michael Popke

More proof that employee engagement is on the decline: Gallup’s new report, “State of the Global Workplace: Understanding Employees, Informing Leaders,” indicates employee engagement fell to 24% in 2024. That’s only the second drop in the past 12 years, and it’s cause for alarm, experts say. On-site, non-remote-capable workers are the least likely to be engaged (19%), followed by hybrid and on-site remote-capable employees (23% for each), with remote workers the most likely to be engaged (31%).

1 week ago | shepherdexpress.com | Michael Popke

With the cathartic jubilance of “Your Uncertain Shadow”—the opening track on The Hallelujah Ward’s off-kilter full-length debut album, Everybody Swoons—this Milwaukee supergroup of sorts proves music can, indeed, provide comfort in the midst of grief.

2 weeks ago | sportsdestinations.com | Michael Popke

Photo © Martin Šandera | Dreamstime.comAbout 15 months ago, SDM asked “Will the Enhanced Games really happen?”As of May 21, the answer appears to be “yes.”  The inaugural edition of the Olympics-style competition promoting the use of performance-enhancing drugs such steroids, testosterone and growth hormone will take place over Memorial Day Weekend 2026 at Resorts World in Las Vegas. Following melodramatic buildup — “We are here to move humanity forward.

3 weeks ago | athleticbusiness.com | Michael Popke

When William Wasson and 19 of his colleagues gathered at Dillard University in New Orleans for two days in February 1950 to create what eventually became known as NIRSA, they wanted to share knowledge, exchange ideas and make connections with others who were promoting intramural sports on their respective campuses. A full 75 years later, the organization that grew out of that inaugural meeting continues to make intramural sports programs, along with dozens of club sports, major priorities.